Picking a cam

[crashing513]

im looking to change cams in mild built sbm.its a 1977 318 block. its been bored .30 over it has 360 J-heads new crank step up from stock rv cam. it was built about 4 years. but has set awhile it has mabey 3-4000 miles on it.if been driving around for about 3 months in my dart.im geting ready to put a 8 3/4 with 3:23-3:55 gears in it.im wanting to get a bigger cam lift/duration.but i dont want to havt to get fancy distubuter.what would be a good cam kit for this for around $200. its a weekend warrior car/somtimes to work.

[cudabob496]

Some things to consider:
Will new cam cause valves to hit pistons?
Generally a new cam is a waste unless you have some port work done to the heads.
May have to upgrade springs
what kinda tranny?
Duration you select is dependent on compression ratio.
Talk to all the cam manufacturers tech guys for their recommendations.

[crisser]

The compression ratio is prolly real low in that thing. So, if all you want to do is a cam, you`ll need to stay at 215 duration or below at 050 and maybe on a tight lobe seperation, like 108, to get the cyl. pressure up some.

[crashing513]

the trans is a stock 904 out of a 80s? 5th ave or diplamat

[bulldog426]

Originally Posted by cudabob496

Some things to consider:
Generally a new cam is a waste unless you have some port work done to the heads.

he's got a 318 with j heads, which is really a step up already compared to the stock 318 heads, so he's pretty much covered on that aspect, j heads are pretty good on a 318, already got bigger valves, and better ports with a j head than over a stock 77 318 head...

he said it's been bored over so it can possibly have higher compression pistons than stock, have you ever had the heads off?? how far did the pistons come to deck?? were they flat top, dome or dish?? a steel shim head gasket can help your compression, you can also get them heads milled.. as far as how big of a cam, what kind of torque converter you running?? stock valvesprings??
check out lunati you can get a cam/lifter kit for around 200bucks... check out the voodoo line

[crashing513]

the torque is stock,and springs are stock to heads just new seals

[JVMopar]

Do you have the specs for the cam you already have? That'd help a guy to suggest a bigger cam. I like the 340 cam and have one in a 318. Nothing to radical but still a good performer.

[crashing513]

i let the paper go with motor when i got rid of it.he lost it since then but thanks for info. PLEASE DELETE